The US Supreme Court has blocked the Trump administration from altering mail ballot rules ahead of the midterm elections, allowing states to continue sending mail ballots without meeting new requirements.
Key facts
- The US Supreme Court blocked the Trump administration from changing mail ballot rules for the midterm elections.
- The decision allows states to keep sending out mail ballots without meeting new requirements.
- The new requirements had been sought by the USPS through an executive order from Donald Trump.
- Separately, Trump claimed on Truth Social there is a 'SICK conspiracy' against artificial intelligence and data centers.
The US Supreme Court has blocked the Trump administration from changing mail ballot rules ahead of the midterm elections, according to the Guardian. The decision allows states to continue sending out mail ballots without meeting new requirements.
The requirements at issue had been sought by the United States Postal Service (USPS), which attempted to impose them through an executive order issued by President Donald Trump. With the court’s action, states are able to continue their existing mail ballot practices.
The ruling means voters in states that use mail ballots will not face the additional conditions the administration had tried to introduce for the upcoming midterms.
In separate remarks, Trump turned his attention to the technology sector, claiming on Truth Social that there is a ‘SICK conspiracy’ against artificial intelligence and data centers amid growing calls for greater checks on AI development.
Trump wrote that ‘the only control or “guardrails” that AI needs is a STRONG AND SMART (High IQ!) PRESIDENT, and the U.S.A. has that, in spades!’ He insisted the administration had stopped leaders of AI companies from ‘doing bad, or potentially bad’ things, but did not point to any concrete examples of how he has curbed possible abuse or malfeasance in the industry, the Guardian reported.
In his post, Trump also argued that the United States is ‘leading China, and all others’ on AI and warned: ‘Conspiracy Theorists, Treasonists, Traitors, and Leakers, BEWARE!’
Why it matters
Mail ballots are a major method of voting in many US states, so rules governing them can affect how millions of people cast their votes. By blocking the new requirements, the Supreme Court preserves existing procedures heading into the midterm elections.
Frequently asked questions
What did the Supreme Court decide about mail ballots?
The court blocked the Trump administration from changing mail ballot rules for the midterm elections, allowing states to continue sending out mail ballots without meeting new requirements.
Where did the new mail ballot requirements come from?
According to the Guardian, the USPS tried to impose the new requirements through an executive order from Donald Trump.
What did Trump say about artificial intelligence?
On Truth Social, Trump claimed there is a 'SICK conspiracy' against AI and data centers and said the best guardrail AI needs is a strong president, though he offered no concrete examples of curbing abuse in the industry.